Mourinho: Bale was not on Man United’s target list

Daniel Storey

Manchester United did not target Gareth Bale this summer as Jose Mourinho believes it would have been a waste of time.

It is four years since the Wales international left Tottenham for the Bernabeu in what was a world-record move.

Three Champions League titles suggests it was the right deal for club and player, but success has not stopped regular talk of a move back to the Premier League – and in particular United.

The 28-year-old recently dismissed such speculation and Mourinho insists Bale was not a summer target, saying it would be “mission impossible” just like a move for Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Yeah, the same (as Ronaldo),” Mourinho said.

“No. he was not on my list of targets. No, because you have contacts, you have feelings, you understand things.

“I think it was clear that Bale likes Madrid, likes the challenge, likes the situation. He’s in a club in a very good situation now.

“I never felt a desire from him to leave, so why lose time and energy on that? No.”